Malta is the largest island in a seven-island archipelago, located close to Europe and not far from Africa. The island’s history began with the megalithic stone temples at Gozo, which may be the oldest free-standing structures on Earth. Valletta, Malta’s capital, boasts bustling streets lined with superb Baroque buildings, palaces, gardens, and churches. The city has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is nicknamed Superbissima (“most proud”). Malta has two official languages: Maltese, the national language, and English. In 2004, Malta joined the European Union and became part of the Eurozone four years later.
